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The worsening condition of roads in Jinja City is becoming a significant element expected to influence how citizens will cast their votes in the upcoming 2026 general elections, as numerous candidates are making this topic a central part of their campaign.

Jinja City, commonly known as the “sitting [living] room” of the Busoga Sub-region, is still facing a deteriorating road system that has caused dissatisfaction among drivers and walkers.

Out of the roughly 230 kilometers within the central business district and over 500 kilometers in the newly added northern area, just 13 kilometers have been improved since the initiation of the World Bank-supported USMID program in 2010.

As stated by Jinja City Engineer Charles Mugweri, the city’s expansive and meticulously designed roads have created difficulties in restoration efforts under USMID, as they demand higher financial resources than those in other cities.

“Jinja features spacious, well-designed roads, which is why we haven’t utilized USMID funds for many roads, unlike other cities like Gulu, as our roads are twice as wide as those in many Ugandan cities,” he stated.

He mentioned that the whole system requires an overhaul since most roads were built as early as 1958 and have never been resurfaced.

“Many of these roads were last repaired in the colonial period. They are now filled with craters and almost impossible to traverse, particularly during the rainy season,” Engineer Mugweri stated.

Continuous heavy rainfall has made conditions worse, making many roads impassable. Prior to the Ministry of Works taking action last week, Tobacco Road—also called Masese Road and a key industrial route in the city—would flood every time it rained.

Jinja City Town Clerk Moses Otimong stated that the city is requesting government pre-financing for the building of at least 150 kilometers of roads, as it is unable to repair them independently.

City officials caution that the worsening road conditions are hindering investment and industrial development. Mayor Peter Kasolo mentioned that certain factories have already relocated to the nearby Njeru Municipality to escape increased transportation expenses and delays resulting from potholes.

“The deteriorating state of our roads has impacted the city’s industrial capabilities. Certain factories have already moved to the Njeru side due to the poor road conditions in Jinja,” Kasolo stated.

To transform Jinja into a tourism hub and commercial center, we require significant efforts to ensure our roads meet the standards of a proper city.

With the 2026 general elections approaching, politicians from all sides have pledged to focus on infrastructure if they are elected.

Commenting to journalists just after the nominations, a number of them, irrespective of political party, highlighted fixing Jinja’s broken road system as their main commitment.

Residents claim their voting choices will be based on which leaders present genuine solutions instead of repeated pledges.

We will elect leaders capable of repairing these roads,” said a local resident. “We are fed up with empty promises; we demand real action this time.

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Tagged: Uganda, East Africa

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